Campo, NCDOT and Turnpike Authority present tolling analysis for US 1; officials told legislative changes would be needed

Campo and NCDOT officials told the Wake Forest Mayor and Board of Commissioners that converting the planned U.S. 1 upgrades to a tolled facility could speed construction but would require changes in state law and an updated environmental review.

The presentation, led by Chris Lucassina of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and David Roy, director of innovative finance for the N.C. Turnpike Authority, summarized four tolling scenarios analyzed for the roughly 10-mile corridor north of I‑540 through Wake Forest and up toward the Franklin County line. The study examined full tolled expressway and managed/express‑lane variants, estimated capital costs and the facility’s ability to support debt financing.

Campo officials said construction cost estimates and schedule pressure motivated the study: “project costs are increasing about 60% every 2 to 3 years,” Lucassina told the board. The Turnpike Authority noted tolling is one financing and delivery tool among many, and said the choice to pursue tolling must come from local planning organizations and the…